For the Shark ZU561 vs ZU503AMZ comparison, deciding which vacuum is the better is difficult as both of them have very good cleaning performance. Finally, I chose the Shark ZU561 as the winner.
The reason is that the Shark ZU561 has a greater attachment set than the Shark ZU503AMZ. Apart from that, both Shark ZU561 and ZU503AMZ have strong suction and pick up dust very well. Besides, they feature good self-cleaning brush rolls, lift-away pods, completely sealed HEPA filtration, and are relatively lightweight.
Thus, if you are looking for good vacuums that have nice sealed filtration, work well on carpets and hard floors, and can deal with hair-wrap problems, Shark Navigator ZU561 and ZU503AMZ are great options to give a try.
Shark ZU561 vs ZU503AMZ: Comparison Chart
Shark ZU561 vs ZU503AMZ: Differences
In the comparison of the Shark ZU561 vs ZU503AMZ, though the difference is not much, I give my vote to the Shark ZU561. The Shark ZU561 is slightly lighter and has more attachments than the ZU503AMZ. Thus, Shark ZU561 wins 1-0 against Shark ZU503AMZ.
Cleaning performance
Tie!
Either Shark ZU561 or Shark ZU503AMZ does have great suction. They can pull up pet hairs and dust in carpets and on floors effectively. As their suction is powerful, sometimes I could not push them over one of my carpets without adjusting the suction amount.
Shark ZU561 and ZU503AMZ give me the option to reduce their original suction through the Suction Control slider (ZU561) or Suction Release collar (ZU503AMZ). This feature is good for improving their maneuverability on different types of carpets and rugs.
They all have self-cleaning brush rolls, which I consider a shining point compared to other vacuums on the market. The Zero M self-cleaning brush rolls work great in reducing the number of hairs getting tangled on the brush rollers. So far, I haven’t had any problem with the hair clogging as after cleaning, the hair amount staying on the roller is just about 1-2% and is short and thin pet hair.
On the bare floor, their pick-up performance is great though their brush rollers cannot be completely disengaged like on the conventional Navigator models. When choosing the Bare Floor/Hard Floor mode, their brush rollers spin slower to reduce the debris scattering as well as the hair getting stuck on the roller.
In short, both Shark ZU561 and ZU503AMZ are amazing vacuums, especially for pet owners like me. These two vacuums meet all my standard cleaning requirements. They can transition easily between carpets and bare floors without any struggle. They can pick up coarse to fine debris and pet hairs. Their self-cleaning brush roll is good, and I don’t have to spend much time on the tedious task of clipping hairs from the brush rollers.
Design & Convenience
Tie!
For me, both Shark ZU561 and Shark ZU503AMZ are pretty lightweight and easy to maneuver. Besides, they have the same cord length of 25 ft., which is enough for cleaning an apartment without unplugging and replugging too many times. Additionally, these vacuums feature the same lift-away functionality and the same swivel heads, making them portable and convenient for cleaning multiple surfaces in the house.
Utility
Winner: Shark ZU561
Attachments
I choose the Shark ZU561 as the winner of this round because it has more attachments than the Shark ZU503AMZ. Its attachment set combines different tools together; for example, its crevice tool is combined with a duster brush that is not included in the Shark ZU503AMZ accessory set.
Moreover, in addition to the wide Upholstery Tool like the one of Shark ZU503AMZ, the Shark ZU561 has a Hair Removal Multitool, which is a handy attachment for cleaning pet hair on fabric surfaces of sofas or couches.
The Shark ZU503AMZ has a unique Pet Crevice Tool, which is claimed to effectively remove the pet hair in the sofa crevices. However, it is a little bit awkward to use, so I do not really like it. Yet, I think it is still a good tool with a great design idea.
Dust bin & Filtration
Tie!
Though, in the comparison chart, the specifications show Shark ZU561 has a little larger dust cup capacity than the ZU503AMZ, I still give them a tie. It is because the difference is minor, while both of their dust cups have enough room to spare, and I often empty the dust cup before the dust reaches the max fill line.
For filtration, these two models have the same HEPA filtration and advanced allergen seal, which I often appreciate about Shark vacuums. Their nice allergen-seal HEPA filtration helps limit the dust and allergens in the emitted air significantly, which is beneficial to my stuffy nose. So, I believe that they are appropriate options for allergy sufferers.
Quick Rundown of Shark ZU561
- Self-cleaning brushroll for powerful pet hair pickup with no hair wrap.
- Use as an upright vacuum for powerful floor and carpet cleaning. Or for more portability, detach the pod to go into Lift-Away mode to easily clean, above-floor areas like furniture and stairs.
- Anti-Allergen Complete Seal Technology and a HEPA filter traps over 99.9% of dust and allergens inside the vacuum cleaner.
- Swivel Steering provides effortless maneuverability for cleaning hard-to-reach areas.
- Suction control slider to manage suction power from hard floors to carpets.
Quick Rundown of Shark ZU503AMZ
- SELF-CLEANING BRUSHROLL: Engineered for more pet hair pickup with no hair wrap (vs. Shark bristle nozzles)..Voltage:120 volts. Wattage : 1200 watts
- LIFT-AWAY FUNCTIONALITY: Detachable pod for cleaning under furniture or detach the nozzle to clean above the floor, on upholstery, furniture, stairs, and more.
- ANTI-ALLERGEN COMPLETE SEAL TECHNOLOGY: Works with a HEPA filter to trap dust and allergens inside the vacuum cleaner.
- PERFECT FOR PETS: The Pet Crevice Tool removes pet hair from hard-to-reach spaces like corners, ceilings, and between couch cushions.
- SWIVEL STEERING: Easily maneuver your vacuum to get in and out of tight spaces, in corners, around furniture, and more.
Product Videos
Related Articles to Shark Zu561
- Shark Navigator UV440 vs ZU561 Complete Comparison: Which Vacuum Is The Better?
- Shark LA502 vs ZU561: Which One Should Be Your Next Vacuum?
- Shark ZU561 vs ZU562: They Appear Identical But Have One Important Difference
- Dyson Ball Animal 2 vs Shark Navigator ZU561: A Head-To-Head Comparison
- Shark ZU62 vs ZU561: 5 Basic Differences Between These Two Shark Vacuum Models
- Shark ZU561 vs NV586: Which Vacuum Cleaner Reigns Supreme for Your Cleaning Needs?
- Shark NV352 vs ZU561: A Head-To-Head Comparison
- Shark ZU561 vs NV501: Is There Any Difference Between Them? – Pick The Winner!
- Shark Navigator ZU560 vs ZU561: Is There Any Difference?
- A Detailed Comparison Of Shark ZU561 vs UV725: Which One You Should Choose?
- Shark NV360 vs ZU561: Which Vacuum Cleaner Is The Best Today?
- Shark ZU561 vs NV356E: The Main Differences Between Two Shark Best Basic Vacuum Cleaners
Related Articles to Shark Zu503amz
References:
- Shark ZU503AMZ: https://support.sharkclean.com/hc/en-us/sections/4403094166418-ZU503AMZ-Series
- Shark ZU561 (in ZU560 series): https://support.sharkclean.com/hc/en-us/sections/360005961059-ZU560-Series
Victor K. Giles is a leading consultant and expert in vacuum cleaner technology with over a decade of experience. As a mechanical engineering graduate in the University of Michigan, he specializes in product development, design optimization, and performance analysis. Victor collaborates with manufacturers and educates consumers, making her a sought-after guest speaker at industry events. His work has been featured in renowned publications, and he shares his expertise on his blog, “The Vacuum Teria”. Victor’s passion for cleaner, healthier living spaces drives his to help clients choose the best vacuum solutions for their needs.